One killed as two trucks collide

An accident between two trucks left one dead and five injured on the R101 Pyramid this morning.
According to a witness on scene, the two trucks were travelling on the R101 in the direction of Warmbaths when the smaller truck proceeded to travel in the emergency lane. The second truck allegedly tried to overtake the truck and the two trucks collided.

At this stage it is not clear why they have collided. One of the trucks overturned several times and is believed to have rolled over its female occupant that was thrown from the vehicle. When paramedics arrived on scene, the lifeless body of a female - believed to be in her 40's - was still lying in the middle of the road. She was declared dead on scene due to the extend of her injuries.

Two workers that was on the back of the truck at the time was also thrown from the truck. The truck came to a standstill next to the railway line with all its goods scattered over the roadside.

It appears that the occupants of the truck were busy moving house, looking at the type of goods. The male driver - believed to be the decead's husband - sustained serious injuries and was transported along with his two workers to a nearby hospital.

The passenger of the second truck sustained minor injuries along with its driver and was assessed and transported by ER24.

Metro Police and Tshwane Fire Department attended to the scene and will conduct an investigation into the incident.

16 Injured in Chaotic Crash

Yet another accident occurred in Johannesburg where multiple people have been injured. This time a serious accident occurred on the Alandale Road in Midrand outside the Carstenhof Clinic. 16 people have sustained injuries in this collision. Amongst the injured was a 2 year old child and a 12 year old.

ER24's Safety Vehicle was the first to receive the distress call and to arrive on scene. When we arrived on scene, people were lying all over the road. Some of the patients were screaming and some of them were just lying dead still. Bystanders from all directions started screaming to assist each patient. Each bystander tried to explain some or other patient's condition to us.

A quick triage was done to ensure the most critical patients get treated first and receive adequate emergency care. It was quickly established that at least four of the 16 patients sustained critical injuries and had to receive immediate emergency attention. Amongst the four critical was the 12 year old minor.

Most of the patients sustained head and severe body trauma. One of the female patients was lying almost 20 metres from the alleged vehicle which she was travelling in. We found her in the middle of the road lying on her stomach and in excruciating pain. Her left side of her pelvis and upper leg was ripped open due to the major trauma she received.

Paramedics from ER24, NetCare and EMS joined forces and work together as a team to stabilize the critically injured. ER24 dispatched ambulances and paramedics from Johannesburg and Ekhuruleni to assist with the incident.

According to one of the patients, they pulled over next to Allandale Road waiting for friends and family to follow them through to their home in Daveyton Benoni. Whilst they were next to the road, a dark colored Polo allegedly collided with the back of the bakkie. At the time of the impact, several occupants from the back of the bakkie were flung into the road.

The Ford bakkie was then allegedly forced into a black Hyundai Getz where the two year old child was sleeping. Fortunately the child only sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene.

A red Polo lost its engine during the impact. The Polo was found several metres down the road with its engine lying a couple of metres from the Ford bakkie. Another car tried to avoid the first collision and rolled into the veldt. Two people have been injured in the car that have rolled and both of the patients were transported to the Carstenhof Clinic.

Four vehicles were wrecked in this collision and sixteen people have had a horrific experience. Due to the amount of patients, they were transported to Johannesburg General Hospital, Tembisa Hospital and The Pretoria Academic Hospital.

Family members of those who waited in the Ford bakkie arrived on scene only to find that their loved ones have been seriously injured. They were calmed and reassured by emergency personnel on the scene.

The whole road was blocked off for almost two hours whilst paramedics and firefighters treated the patients. Metro Police also investigated the incident.

The exact cause for the incident is not yet known and will be determined by the accident investigation unit of Metro Police.

11 Hurt in Taxi Crash

At least 11 people have been injured when the driver of a taxi allegedly lost control and crashed into a bridge barrier and a robot on Grayston Drive this evening.

When paramedics arrived on scene they found the occupants scattered next to the taxi. It is believed that some of the occupants were flung from the taxi and landed in the grass and road on top of the Grayston bridge. The taxi was standing in the middle of the road with severe damage to its roof. It is obvious that the passengers of the taxi are lucky to be alive and that the roof did not cause serious head injuries during the impact.

Most of the patients were treated on scene for head, limb and general body injuries. About six patients sustained more severe injuries and were rushed off to the Johannesburg General Hospital for further medical treatment. All of the other patients - including the driver of the taxi - were treated on scene for their injuries and transported to a nearby hospital.

According to a bystander, the taxi was travelling on the M1 taking the on-ramp to Grayston when it apparently lost control. It appears that the taxi then collided with a barrier on the on-ramp and skidded across the intersection where it collided with the barrier and robot. One of the occupants explained that she could not see the robot and could not confirm if it was working before the accident. When paramedics arrived, the whole intersection's robots were out of order and causing chaos to the intersection on the bridge.

It was truly a team effort between paramedics from ER24, Fourways Life Healthcare and EMS to quickly immobilise and transport the patients to the closest hospital. The minimum time wasted on a scene is always beneficial to an injured patient.

Fortunately no other vehicles collided with the taxi when it skidded across the intersection.

Bakkie Collides with Water Tanker

A man believed to be in his early 40's is in a critical condition after his bakkie allegedly collided semi head-on with a tanker truck on Nasrec road this morning. The tanker truck, which was carrying water at the time, was traveling in the direction of Main Reef and the Ford Cortina was traveling in the opposite direction.

The bakkie collided with the front of the truck and was sent off of the road after the collision. When paramedics arrived on scene the man was still entrapped in the wreckage behind his steering wheel. The Fire Department had to use the Jaws-of-Life to rescue the trapped driver. He was then taken out of the wreckage and stabilized by paramedics on scene. The man sustained severe head, chest and leg trauma. He also suffered a serious partial amputation of his right foot.

After stabilization he was rushed off to the Baragwanath Hospital for further management.

Explosion Rips Through Paint Factory

Paramedics from ER24 and Fire Services are currently on the scene where a massive explosion occurred at the Plascon paint factory in Alberton North.

It is believed that an explosion occurred in the paint building causing serious injuries to at least two of the employees. Both of the employees sustained multiple burn wounds and serious injuries from the explosion.

Everyone was evacuated from the building after the explosion. Paramedics and fire fighters searched the building for more victims, but no one else was found to be injured. Some of the other employees were treated for shock and minor injuries on the scene. The two employees that sustained critical injuries were stabilized on scene and transported to a nearby hospital.

According to paramedics the roof of the building were ripped open during the explosion and the building is almost completely destroyed inside.

Paramedics remain on scene to assist where needed.

It is not clear at this stage what caused the explosion in the factory.

Car blaze Glenwood

DURBAN: At approximately 09:30 on Friday ER24 paramedics came across an Opel Cadet which had caught alight on the corners of Cato and Clark Roads in Glenwood. The middle aged woman driving the vehicle had been traveling towards St Augustine’s Hospital when she was stopped by two ever vigilant car guards who had noticed flames underneath the front wheel arches. The woman, Mrs. I Oosthuizen who quickly jumped out of her car, watched helplessly as ER24 paramedics used hand held fire extinguishers to stifle the blaze. When all extinguishers had been exhausted by paramedics, Metro Fire Fighters attended the scene and quickly put out the flaming car using high pressure hoses. Although the cause of the fire is still unknown, fire fighters on the scene suspect that a combination of bad wiring, as well as the age of the vehicle may have contributed to the blaze.

Paramedics Caught Drunk Driver

While ER24 paramedics were on routine patrols on Argyle Road, a blue Citi Golf sped through a red robot, narrowly missing both the ER24 response vehicle and another car which was passing through the intersection at the time. Paramedics followed the speeding car and watched as it veered all over the road. As the driver of the car was clearly a danger to himself, as well as members of the public, paramedics intervened by parking a response vehicle in his path at the next traffic light while they called for police assistance. In response to this, the driver, who was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, slammed his car into reverse and collided with a white golf parked behind him.

Paramedics placed the man under citizen’s arrest and he was detained while paramedics drove his now damaged vehicle, with him on board, to a nearby roadblock situated on the M4 Ruth First highway, before the Broadway turnoff. Upon arriving at the roadblock the young man was convinced to blow into the breathalyser by a large contingent of burly policemen. The intrepid driver blew a remarkable 0.15 (which is three times the legal alcohol limit). He was escorted to the Booze Bus at the road block where blood was drawn immediately to confirm the results. He was arrested by police and detained. He is currently residing at the Durban North police station. It is unlikely that court will be open on the weekend which means that all of those arrested will be sitting in jail until Monday morning.

The road block was coordinated by Metro Police, as well as SAPS and Immigration officials. Also present at the road block was the Minister of Safety and Security Mr. Bheki Cele. The Minister greeted paramedics with enthusiasm and watched as many passing motorists were arrested for offences varying from driving under the influence to overloading. Mr Cele spent over 4 hours at the road block, assisting police and talking to the public, who generally saw the road block and visible policing in a very positive light. The road block commenced at approximately 20:00 and ended 03:00.

Pictured at the roadblock (from left) Neil Noble (ER24 Operations Manager), Capt Heslop (SAPS Durban North), Bheki Cele (Minister of Safety & Security) & Capt Govender (Metro Police KwaMashu).

Car hits pole & burns while driver runs away

In the early hours of Saturday morning a Citi Golf lost control and collided with a reinforced concrete light pole and thereafter burst into flames. The incident took place in Kennard Rise in Umbilo at approximately 03:30. ER24 paramedics raced to the cul-de-sac and found 3 young men lying on the pavement near the burning wreckage. One youth was in a serious but stable condition with suspected spinal and neck injuries, as well as severe facial trauma. He was transported by ambulance to hospital.

It is the alleged by the uninjured passengers on the scene that the driver, whom they did not know had absconded from the scene and left his car to burn. They claim (ironically) that they had met the young man that evening at “Burn”, a popular Durban Night spot.

Durban Metro fire Fighters controlled the blaze within minutes using flame retardant foam. Metro police insist that a docket of reckless and negligent driving will be opened and the matter would certainly be investigated further. It is clear that the driver was traveling at high speed, as indicated by skid patterns which started a substantial distance from the point of impact. It is a miracle that all survived the accident. The injured passenger is believed to be in a stable condition in St Augustine’s Hospital.

Officials hurt in crash

Three police officials have sustained injuries when their white Mazda Etude overturned several times on the N14 Highway before the R512 (Hans Strijdom) off ramp. One of the officials explained that they were on their way from the Police Training College in Pretoria towards Roodepoort when the accident occurred.

The driver said that he believes that one of the rear tyres apparently suffered a blow-out and he lost control over the vehicle.

The Mazda collided with a tree and a barrier next to the highway and came to a standstill on its roof in the veld. When paramedics arrived on scene, all three of the officials were outside of the vehicle.

Paramedics quickly assessed the officials who fortunately sustained only minor injuries. They were treated on scene, but refused to be transported to hospital.

The South African Police will investigate the accident. No other vehicles were involved and no witnesses could be found on scene.

Suspect killed by Authorities - Results in Accident

Paramedics from ER24 were called to assist with an accident on the corners of Witkoppen and Rivonia after a Corrolla apparently lost control and drove through the fence of a new construction site.

On arrival paramedics quickly learned that the their was a different story to the accident. According to the police and security officials on scene, four people attempted to rob the River Club SPAR earlier the evening. Police and Security officials caught up with the suspects and resulted in a car chase.

It appears that the Corolla lost control and ploughed through the fence of the construction site next to Witkoppen Road. The vehicle travelled through the rubble and ended up almost against the building.

One of the suspects were lying next to the passenger door of the car and was declared dead on scene by ER24 paramedics. Apparently three suspects have fled the scene after the crash and two fire arms have been recovered by the police on scene.

At this stage it is not clear who shot the suspect and when he was shot.

Pedestrian dies in Witkoppen

A 46 year old woman have been killed in a serious car accident on the corners of Witkoppen and Douglas Roads when a silver BMW X5 apparently collided with her. It appears that the woman was crossing the road when the accident occurred.

When paramedics arrived on scene, we found the lifeless body of the woman lying in the fast lane of Witkoppen in the direction of Fourways. The woman sustained multiple fatal injuries. A paramedic from the Fourways Life Healthcare declared the woman dead on the scene. There was nothing paramedics could do to save the womans life.

It appears that she bought food at a shopping centre close-by, as fresh food in a polystyrene holder was lying a couple of metres from her. It is not clear if she was alone or where she was headed before the accident.

Car Rolls Down Embankment

Two ladies have been injured when their car allegedly collided with the side of the barrier on the N1 between William Nicol and Rivonia and rolled down the embankment.

When paramedics arrived we found the white Citroen still on its roof with the two ladies sitting outside of the vehicle. According to the driver of the vehicle they were bumped on the highway by another vehicle whilst traveling in the direction of Roodepoort.

A bystander who was also involved in the accident, explained that a vehicle suddenly swerved in front of him and he tried to avoid colliding with the vehicle. The BMW of the bystander allegedly spun out of control and collided with the side of the the Citroen, possibly causing the driver to lose control.

Paramedics from ER24 and Provincial EMS stabilized the two ladies and carried them out of the ditch where they were loaded into ER24 ambulances. Both of the patients were transported by ER24 ambulances to the Sandton Medi Clinic for further medical management.

Dry Tank Causes Crash

A man was seriously injured in his broken down Uno in the early morning hours on the N1 at the Rabie Bridge.

It is believed that the man's Uno broke down next to the side of the highway when it apparently ran out of petrol. The driver explained that he managed to pull his vehicle in the emergency lane of the N1 in the direction of Pretoria. He then climbed into the passenger front seat of the car waited for a friend to assist him.

Not too long after his vehicle (the Uno) broke down, another white vehicle pulled a couple of metres in front of the Uno. This man had a flat front tyre and pulled over to change over to the spare tyre. Whilst the two vehicles were in the emergency lane, a third vehicle ( Blue Hyundai Elantra ) apparently collided with the back of the Uno. The Uno was crumbled and pushed into the highway. It is believed that the Hyundai then continued to travel and also collided with the man's vehicle who was busy changing his tyre.

The driver of the Elantra absconded the scene before paramedics arrived. His condition or injuries is not known.

When paramedics arrived on scene, the man was at his Uno and in severe pain. He was stabilized on the scene and loaded into the ambulance for transportation. The man was taken to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment. It appears that he sustained possible back and neck injuries.

The driver of the vehicle with the flat tyre was fortunate not to have been injured in this bizarre collision.

On scene metro police confirmed they have traced the owner of the Elantra and was being brought back to the scene, however, by the time paramedics departed the scene, the driver was still not on the scene.

Missing Girl (6) found - SAPS

Tammy is the six year old daughter of Nelia Botha. She suffers from Down's Syndrome. This morning at approximately 06h40 she was playing with the cat and followed it through the cat's "door" to the outside.

Little Tammy ended up a couple of blocks from her mother's home in the Moot (Pretoria).

Fortunately the spokesperson for the Tshwane Metro Police Department, Louise Brits, saw this little child on the corners of 14th Avenue and Louis Trichardt. She immediately pulled over and contacted the Wonderboompoort Police Station.

Meanwhile, a distraught mother contacted the police in desperate hope that they would find her daughter. Tammy was taken safely to the Wonderboompoort Police Station where she was reunited with her mom less than an hour later.

Well done to the police and metro police. Indeed another child's life was saved. - supplied

Bizarre Shooting - Kempton Park

A lady has apparently been killed after being wounded in the chest at the BP Garage in Tulbach Road. When paramedics arrived on scene, they found that the lady was already declared dead on scene and told that another person was shot in Pomona Street, not far from the BP Garage.

In Pomona street, paramedics from ER24 found a man - believed to be in his 30's with a gunshot wound to his jaw. The man was still trying to talk and was in a critical condition. According to a bystander the man tried to shoot himself in the head at the BP Garage and ran down the Pomona street after the unsuccessful shot.

A bakkie collided with the man whilst running down the Pomona Road. The man was treated by paramedics on scene and transported in a critical condition to a nearby hospital for further stabilization.

At this stage the relationship between the man and deceased lady at the garage could not be established. Members of the South African Police Service attended to both of the scenes.

20y/o Dies in Crash on eve of his 21st

A 20 year old man have died and two were left critical after a horror car crash on Northumberland Drive this morning. (01h20 - 14 April 2007)

It appears that a dark colored vehicle was travelling near the intersection of Northumberland and Hans Strijdom Drives when the vehicle apparently collided with the middle island of Northumberland. The vehicle was sent of in the direction of a Total Garage on the corners of Hans Strijdom and Northumberland after colliding with rocks next to the road.

Paramedics from ER24 and Life Fourways Healthcare quickly determined that the 23 year old driver still had his safety belt on whilst in his seat and was in a critical condition. The driver and his 22 year old front passenger sustained massive injuries. Both of the front occupants had to be rescued through the drivers door with the assistance of ER24 and Life Healthcare paramedics.

A 20 year old passenger was found mangled between the rear seats of the car. The 20 year old was still entrapped between the seats and could not be removed from the wreckage. It was determined by paramedics that he sustained major and multiple injuries. He was declared dead on scene due to the extend of his injuries. The fire department had to use the jaws-of-life to free the body of the young man from the wreckage.

It appears that the vehicle received full impact on the passenger side.

Paramedics established that the 20 year old would have celebrated his 21st birthday on the 15th of April 2007.

Paramedics from ER24 and Provincial EMS transported the two critical patients to the Life Fourways Hospital where they will be receiving further medical management for their injuries.

Train Surfer (16) Shocked by 3000 Volts

At approximately 16h30 on 12 April 2007, ER24 paramedics were called to assist a teenager who is severely injured in a train accident. It is believed that a 16 year old boy was electrocuted whilst train surfing and thrown off the moving train.

Paramedics found the seriously injured teenager between the railway tracks of the Grosvener and Langlaagte Train Stations in Mayfair. Railway security attended to the teenager when we arrived.

Paramedics had to stabilize the boy between constant moving trains and carry him to safety. The young man sustained severe burn wounds to his body and possible fractures. It is believed that he was electrocuted by more than 3000 volts whilst he was on top of the train.

According to a 14 year old witness, two teenagers - including the 16 year old - were playing on the train. Apparently they were running between the carts and one of them went up on the roof of the train. When he returned down, the (injured) teenager went onto the roof. The witness explained that he heard a loud bang and saw sparks, then the boy being thrown off the roof between moving trains.

The 14 year old witness got off at the next station and ran back to the area where the incident occurred, looking for help.

Paramedics stabilized the teenager and transported him rapidly to the Johannesburg General Hospital.

Metro Rail said they will investigate the incident and also attended to the scene.

The train was on its way from JHB CBD to the Oberholzer Station when the incident occurred

Man (56) Shot in Head - Westdene

A 56 year old man is in a critical condition after he was shot in the head during an armed house robbery in Westdene yesterday evening.

According to the man he was sitting in his dining room just before 22h00 on Thursday when someone screamed at him and shot him through the window of the dining room.

The man's wife - who was outside the house - at the time of the incident, said she heard the commotion and a gunshot. She rushed inside and found her husband lying on the bed in their bedroom. It is believed that the man walked to his bedroom, before collapsing on his bed where paramedics found him.

When paramedics arrived on scene, SAPS already attended to the scene. It appears that the 56 year old man sustained a gunshot wound to the back of his head. He was lying in his own blood on the bed, still talking to paramedics. His condition deteriorated quickly and he was rapidly immobilized and rushed off to a nearby hospital. He is in an unstable and critical condition. (Hospital's name not mentioned due to confidentiality reasons)

The man explained to paramedics that he knew something was going to happen tonight and he was "waiting" for it. He apparently sat in the dining room waiting. It is unclear if the man was just disorientated due to the head trauma when he mentioned this.

He was obviously in severe shock. His wife was shocked that this incident occurred. It is unclear how many suspects were present during the robbery and if anything was taken.

The South African Police Service attended to the scene and will investigate the incident.

A Medical Crash

A 30 year old woman is in a stable condition after she possibly experienced seizures and crashed her car into a bridge.

The car came to a stand still against the side of the Riviera Bridge on top of the M1 Highway.

When paramedics from ER24 arrived on scene, the lady was still inside her vehicle. She was disorientated and could not remember what had happened. According to a bystander who stopped on scene, the silver VW suddenly swerved across the intersection, missing other vehicles and stopped against the side of the bridge.

Paramedics assessed the lady whilst in her car and stabilized her on scene. She was assisted out of her vehicle and transported by ER24 to Morningside Medi Clinic. A friend was located telephonically and details of the patient were obtained. Further medical management will be done at the Morningside Medi Clinic. It appears that she was alone in the car at the time of the incident.

At this stage it is not sure why she experienced a medical emergency. She is lucky to have escaped with no injuries after the accident and that it was only a minor crash.

One of 30 Crashes in JHB

A red VW Polo and a black Citroen collided with each other on the corners of William Nicol and Witkoppen. According to a bystander the Polo was turning onto the Witkoppen on ramp and the Citroen was traveling on William Nicol in the direction of the N1.

The impact of the two vehicles sent them spinning of in their own direction. The impact was so great that the engine of the Polo was found on the middle island of William Nicol. The Citroen was found on the corner island with a male driver still trapped inside of it. The driver sustained multiple injuries and had to be cut out of the wreck with the jaws of life. He was stabilized on scene and transported rapidly to the Fourways Life Hospital for further medical management.

Three people were injured in the Polo and transported to a nearby hospital. A male occupant sustained minor injuries and two female occupants were also treated on scene by paramedics. According to Metro Police on scene, they have arrested the driver of the Polo.

30 Accidents in Johannesburg

It is only the beginning of the Easter weekend and ER24 Emergency Services have attended to more than 30 accidents last night in and around Johannesburg.

Most of the accidents occurred between 19h00 and 23h00, the last accident was serviced about 05h00.

In the West Rand a total of four people have been killed so far and 11 critical after numerous accidents. The biggest accident that claimed four lives were at the Hendrik Potgieter Sasol Pinehaven where a six month baby was also killed in a head on collision.

Eight patients sustained severe injuries when their vehicles crashed in the Northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Another killed in Limpopo in another head on collision.

Most of the accidents involved overturned vehicles and single vehicle accidents.

The accident rate seen last night is quite unusual. We urge the public to drive safely on the roads, as this is only the beginning of the weekend and more than five people have been killed in our area alone.

Brittish Couple Injured on Elephant Safari

A British couple suffered multiple injuries after falling from an elephant during a safari in South Africa.
The pair, named as Michael and Lorna Denyard, are expected to undergo surgery for leg and pelvic fractures following Thursday's accident.
The couple, in their 30s, fell after finishing the elephant trek in an animal sanctuary outside Johannesburg.
A spokesman for local emergency service ER24 said "the lady fell forward and also dragged her husband down".
He said it happened as the elephant knelt to let the couple climb down.
'Severe' fractures
The spokesman, who said the elephant was following a "normal procedure" to lower the pair, said: "Both landed on the ground and that is where they sustained most of their fractures."
The couple were taken by ambulance to the Akasia Hospital, in Pretoria, where the woman is being treated for "quite severe" leg fractures.
Her husband is receiving treatment for pelvic injuries.
The spokesman said: "The injuries, if left unattended, would be life threatening but they are in a stabilising environment and are receiving all the necessary treatment."
The couple arrived in South Africa on Wednesday and embarked on the elephant safari on Thursday morning, according to the spokesman.
Their family have told about the accident, which happened as the pair were returning to base camp.
The Foreign Office said it was "aware of the incident" and would be "on standby to provide consular assistance".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6532559.stm

21 Injured in Highway Crash

21 people have been injured in a crash between two Jeeps and a taxi on the N1 after the Grassmere Toll Plaza in the direction of Johannesburg.

According to an occupant of one of the Jeeps, they were on their way back from East Londen after a holiday. One of the Jeeps were towed by the other when the collision occurred. An occupant of the Jeep explained that one of the vehicles had problems with its diesel pump and had to be towed.

Whilst traveling in the left lane of the highway, a taxi allegedly overtook at the same time as the Jeeps and collided with the vehicles. All the drivers allegedly lost control and the taxi and the blue Jeep overturned. The red Hi-Ace taxi was standing on its wheels next to the fast lane and the red Jeep when paramedics arrived. The other Jeep was lying on its passenger side in the slow lane.

At least one of the female occupants of the blue Jeep was ejected from the vehicle and found in the middle of the highway. Passengers from the taxi confirmed that some climbed out of the taxi and some were thrown out. Paramedics had to rescue another occupant from the blue Jeep.

A total of six people were traveling in the two Jeeps and 15 in the taxi, including the drivers.

One of the occupants of the taxi sustained severe fractures to his upper leg and another occupant of the Jeep sustained multiple injuries.

Amongst the injured in the Jeep were three children aged between 12 and 17 years.

Car vs. Wall - Two Critical

At least two people have sustained serious injuries after a white Audi SE collided with a wall in Wilson Street, Fairlands this evening.

Approximately 20h30 paramedics rushed to the scene of the accident. When we arrived on the scene, we found the driver and his passenger lying on the opposite side of the road, complaining of severe pain.

Paramedics quickly stabilized the two gentleman - aged 35 and 36. Both of the patients sustained serious injuries, including fractures and possible head injuries.

According to a home owner in Wilson Street, they heard a loud crash outside and rushed out of their home. When they arrived on the scene people already extricated the two occupants.

According to a family member on scene, the two friends were traveling from Northgate on their way home when the accident occurred. At this stage it is unknown why the vehicle collided with the wall.

Both of the patients were transported by ambulance to the Life Flora Clinic for further medical management.

Wilson street was closed off for approximately an hour after the accident.

One Die in Freak Accident - KZN

At approximately 04h25 on Sunday morning ER24 paramedics raced to a reported accident where a Toyota Hilux had crashed into a house on Bale Street, Woodlands.

Upon arrival, emergency services found a silver Toyota Hilux that had veered violently off the road and landed down an embankment on top of a house. The driver of the vehicle, Buyani Zondi (28) who lived 200 metres from where the accident took place, died on impact. His passenger was lucky to walk away from the accident without injury. Metro Fire-fighters & ER24 Advanced Life Support Paramedic, Neil Noble, had to free the body from the wreckage using the Jaws of Life. The immense force of the crash bent the protective roll bar out of proportion.

Residents from the house were uninjured, despite a large portion of the roof collapsing into a room. It is clear by the position of the vehicle and the extent of the damage that the two young men were travelling at high speed for prevailing road conditions. Residents from adjacent houses claim that it is not the first time that cars have lost control and landed up in their gardens. They insist that despite petitions and frequent requests for speed bumps to be placed on Bale Street, they have been denied because the street in question is on a bus route.

Car Crashes into Construction Site

The combination of heavy rain, wet roads and poor roadway illumination in parts of Central Durban yielded a serious accident at approximately 19h40 on Saturday evening, when a silver Audi A4 collided with Earth Moving vehicles whilst they repaired water mains that ran underneath Umbilo Road.

Durban Metro Water Department had been conducting repairs on water pipes in the intersection of Umbilo and Hillier Roads, which had required them to excavate a section of road using Jack hammers as well as pay loaders. The workers had used road cones to close lanes, as well as emergency tape to cordon the area off. It is alleged that the driver of the Audi was travelling at high speeds and due to poor street lighting had failed to see the road works in progress. The man managed to avoid one large hole, (see pic), and in doing so struck two men who were operating a jack hammer. The two men were in a serious condition with possible neck and spinal injuries and were transported by ER24 ambulances to both King Edward VIII and Life Entabeni Hospital. The driver of the Audi remained uninjured.

Umbilo residents who have been without water for the past two days, will have to wait until the scene is cleared and replacement staff have been dispatched to the area to repair the damaged water lines.

Members of the public are advised to drive cautiously in wet weather as these adverse driving conditions drastically increase the likelihood of accidents.

Teen Flees Accident

Two vehicles collided in the intersection and was thrown to the side of the intersection. A black Toyota Corolla and a blue Hyundai Getz was involved.

When paramedics arrived on scene, bystanders were screaming to assist a little baby girl (6 months) who was lying next to the car. Paramedics quickly assessed the little one, but found that she sustained major injuries and was already dead. There was nothing paramedics could do. The mother was lying a couple of metres from the wreckage, she also died on scene. Both of the occupants sustained severe injuries and possible internal injuries.

According to some of the bystanders that arrived before paramedics, they removed the lifeless bodies of the child and the mother from the car in an attempt to save their lives.

The father (23 - driver) was not injured but assessed and transported by ER24 to Flora Clinic for medical management.

Whilst paramedics were on scene, the father just stared at the wreckage of his car with his wife in the foreground. He was clearly in disbelief of what had happened. The father said the his child was in a child seat behind the front passenger. The full impact was on the baby's side.

The driver (18 - male) of the Hyundai Getz was nowhere to be found on scene when medics arrived. The Honeydew Police and Metro Police searched for the driver and located him at his house in Honeydew Ridge. The police arrested him and brought him back to the scene. He sustained no obvious injuries. Metro Police took the young driver into custody and he will be charged accordingly.

During the collision it is believed that the Corolla was thrown after impact across a side island over a robot before it came to a standstill. Nappies, toys and personal belongings were scattered over the scene.